AFS Structures –Global to Local

Service

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194760 YEARS!!!!

AFS Bilateral Exchanges in 1970

Between 1947 and 1970 AFS exchanges continued to increase both in terms of participants and countries represented.

However, throughout that time all exchanges were to and fromthe United States and AFS continued to be administered centrally from New York as demonstrated by this graphic.

AFS Multilateral Exchange Today

Today, the picture is quite different with exchanges occurring multilaterally between partners all over the world

There are actually 1,341 exchange paths in the AFS network today and it is truly one of the most unique aspects of the AFS organization.

The AFS Partnership • In the mid 1980’s

AFS faced financial difficulties. The centralized system of management was both costly and less effective The centralized structure was no longer appropriate in an organization striving for a more broadly based democratic approach.

• By the late 80’sAFS moved to decentralize. Going forward each AFS country was to become a self-sustaining and separate organization incorporated within its own national context with individual Boards of Directors. A separate entity called AFS International was also established as the umbrella organization to the partnership.

• At the start of the 90’sAustralia, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy followed by USA became the first countries to become independent partners. AFS USA and AFS International established separate offices in New York soon after.

Role of AFS International Serves as the Financial Clearinghouse for all

Partners Maintains participant and organizational

insurance to manage risks effectively. Offers consulting services and training to

Partners. Monitors network activity and quality

through collection of program data and a comprehensive system of customer service evaluations.

Provides leadership to the network Board of Trustees Management Council PPWG

Maintains and promotes adherence to the AFS International Quality Program Standards.

The AFS International Board of Trustees

• Most elected to 3 year terms• 18 members plus several “Life

Trustees” who were ambulance drivers

• 2 Trustees elected each year by BoT; 4 elected by Partners

• Representation from around network• Mandate to govern AFS

International

The AFS International Management Council

• 10 members + President of AFS International

• 6/10 elected from 10 largest Partners

• 4/10 elected from remaining Partners

• Makes policy decisions• Provides governance

recommendations to the International Board of Trustees

The AFS International Program Policy Workgroup

• 10 members + President of AFS International

• 6/10 elected from 10 largest Partners

• 4/10 elected from remaining Partners

• Makes policy decisions• Provides governance

recommendations to the International Board of Trustees

Largest Partners

USA

Germany

Italy

Thailand

Japan

Brazil

France

New Zealand

Switzerland

Argentina

AFS USA Board of Directors

National Council

National Volunteer Assembly

Area TeamsChapters

Volunteers

AFS USA Volunteer Structure

Unaffiliated Chapters

Volunteers are connected to the AFS-USA volunteer structure in the following ways:

• Volunteers: Individuals who register to volunteer for AFS-USA.

• Chapter Volunteers: Individuals who wish to volunteer their time with AFS as part of a local volunteer chapter.

• Area Team Volunteers: Those individuals who are part of a chapter within an area team, or individuals who wish to volunteer for the area team but who are not necessarily connected to a chapter.

Thousands of individuals throughout the United States are engaged in the delivery of AFS programs. In order to be an AFS-USA volunteer, you must complete a formal volunteer registration process (including a criminal background check and acceptance of the AFS-USA volunteer agreement), abide by all AFS-USA program policies and procedures as well as the AFS-USA volunteer policy and respect the mission, vision and values in performing your duties. Volunteers will be trained, organized, managed and supported by assigned staff and/or fellow volunteers.

Chapter Criteria and Responsibilities• Minimum two volunteers willing to serve as Chair and Treasurer• Host and/or Send at least one student over a three year period• Complete annual Chartering process • Recruit and welcome participants, host families, and new

volunteers to AFS• Provide the first line of orientation and program support for AFS

participants• Build and maintain strong relationships with the local schools• Raise funds at the local level for local operations and

scholarships

The local chapters are community-based volunteer groups that implement the AFS program by

hosting and sending participants. Chapters can either be part of an Area Team or be “unaffiliated”

Area Teams — made up of Local Chapters, and individuals in a geographic area defined by the team.

Area teams must have a total of 40 or more inbound and outbound program participants combined.

Area Team Roles & and Responsibilities• Have at least two chartered chapters

• Required positions include: Chairperson, Chairperson-Elect, and Treasurer

• Have contact volunteers or coordinators for hosting, sending, support, and volunteer development

• Oversee hosting placement and sending recruitment within the area team

• Conduct or ensure all participants have required orientations

•Have at least one annual meeting and hold elections for the AT Chair

•Participate in annual assessment

•Account for all local funds

Selection of Delegates• Area Teams will have one delegate to the NVA for each group of

40 program participants (hosting and sending combined). • Area Teams will have additional delegates for each additional

group of 40 program participants.• The first Area Team delegate is the Area Team Chair, additional

delegates are to be elected by the Area Team volunteers.• Unaffiliated chapters with fewer than 40 participants grouped

together for the purpose of electing delegates to the NVA. • The National Council will determine the date and location of the

National Volunteer Assembly each year.

Area Team and Unaffiliated Chapters send delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly each year to direct the organization toward pathways that contribute to the mission of AFS-USA, maintain the financial viability of the organization, and support our commitment to quality and promote growth. The delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly also elect volunteers to serve on the National Council.

The National Council is comprised of 9 Volunteers elected by the delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly and is the volunteer policy-making body for program operations and volunteer governance of AFS-USA

Responsibilities

• Organizational Planning and Oversight

• Planning and implementation of the NVA

• Oversee Volunteer Organizational Development and Structure

• Oversee Program Quality

• Ensure consistent volunteer communications

The Board is the ultimate governing body for AFS-USA.

• Comprised of 3 -15 members, four of whom are current or former AFS-USA National Council members.• Approve overall strategy for the organization.• Ensure adherence to quality standards.• Raise funds.• Act as fiduciaries of AFS-USA

AFS-USA Staff

The AFS USA staff works across four offices divided into nine functional areas. Each of the staff members who sit on the National Council

heads up one of the nine functional areas.

Student Services

Programs and Scholarships

Regional Service Center

National Service Center

Regional Service Center

Regional Service Center

AFS USA OFFICES

Hosting

•Regional Hosting Teams

•Hosting Program Officer

Sponsored Programs

• Inbound: YES, FLEX, CB, VTP, etc.

• Outbound: YES, CB, NSLI

• Faces of America

Sending

• Regional Recruitment

•Student Services

•Programs and Scholarships

Intercultural Education and

Quality

• Support

• Compliance

• Visas

• Orientation Content

AFS-USA Staff Functions

Organizational

Development

• Human Resources

• Volunteer Development

• OD & Learning

IT

• Network Administration

• Programming

• Business Analysis

Administration• Finance

• Grants• Field Finance• Budget

• Travel and Logistics

Marketing and Communications

• PR

• Marketing Materials

• Website

• E-Marketing

• Crisis Communications

AFS-USA Staff Functions

Development

• Annual Giving

• Major Gifts

• Corp/Foundation